If you rent and have renters insurance, now might be the time to double-check what your policy actually covers. With the increase in climate-related disasters, which can cause thousands of dollars in damages (if not total destruction), being prepared and knowledgeable about insurance is key. That’s the lesson one Montana resident sadly learned when melting snow flooded her apartment unit this winter. Hollie Trotter, a resident of Bozeman, MT, had her apartment entirely flooded due to snowmelt, according to KBZK News. While floods triggered by snowmelt are not rare in the state, Trotter says she had ‘never experienced anything like this.’ Last week, she and her elderly father, with whom she lives, noticed water accumulating at the bottom of their building. They soon realized that ‘a massive pile of snow was blocking a creek, causing water to rise fast.’ ‘They knew they had to act quickly and immediately began shoveling a pathway for that water to flow through,’ according to the KBZK article. While they were undertaking this multiple-hour effort, water rushed through the door and into their apartment, flooding it. Thomas Kines, senior meteorologist at Accuweather, tells Realtor.com® that Bozeman ‘isn’t a hotbed for any kind of severe weather.’ ‘It sits in a valley surrounded by high mountains, severe thunderstorms are not common, and the excessive wind that Montana sometimes receives affects Bozeman to a much lesser degree,’ he says. Yet, he adds that the area can be prone to flooding, especially during late winter and spring. The flooding is usually caused by ice jams and/or rapid snowmelt in the higher terrain combined with rain. ‘However, significant flooding is not common,’ he says. While there have been a few cases of local streams overflowing their banks over the past 20 years, there wasn’t anything significant in the past five years. While the Trotters tried to salvage as many things as they could, they were forced to find a temporary place—and soon after, realized that Hollie’s renters insurance does not cover floods. Why doesn’t renters insurance cover floods? While renters insurance does not cover everything, experts still strongly recommend getting a policy. Yet, as of 2025, ‘only 55% of renters in the United States (61 million) had renter’s insurance,’ according to Simply Insurance. ‘Always get renters insurance,’ says Erika Tortorici, owner and principal of Optimum Insurance Solutions. ‘It’s usually very affordable and can save renters from significant financial burdens in the event of a loss. A landlord’s policy will not cover a tenant’s personal property or liability.’ Tortorici explains that flood damage is not covered by any renters insurance policy. ‘In fact, flood damage isn’t covered by standard homeowners or condo insurance policies either—flood insurance is a completely separate policy designed to specifically cover flood-related perils,’ she explains. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception, as many consumers assume flood protection is included in their home, condo, or renters insurance policies when, in reality, it’s explicitly excluded, she adds. In addition, it’s essential to know that flood insurance is typically only recommended or required when a property is located in a designated flood zone. ‘In those cases, lenders may mandate coverage, or prior owners may suggest purchasing it,’ Tortorici notes. ‘However, renters are rarely prompted to consider flood insurance, which makes this situation particularly challenging.’ Adam Hamilton, CEO of REI Hub, also notes that the lack of flood coverage has been a major issue for many people in the U.S., as flooding has become a bigger problem in recent years. ‘And, tons of renters are unaware that their renters insurance policies don’t cover flood damage in the first place,’ he says. Hamilton adds that renters insurance typically covers water damage when the problem is inside the building, like a burst pipe; but it won’t cover flooding caused by the weather, mainly because that is considered ‘gradual.’ An important point to remember is that renter’s insurance is designed to protect a tenant’s personal belongings—not the structure itself—and most standard policies explicitly exclude flood damage, says Anthony M. Lopez, founder and CEO of Your Insurance Attorney, and chair of the firm’s property insurance department. That means if rising water damages your furniture, electronics, or clothes, you’re likely on your own unless you’ve purchased a separate flood insurance policy, as was the case for the Montana residents, he says. ‘This often catches renters off guard, especially in flood-prone areas where water damage is a real threat. There are variations, though,’ he says. ‘Some policies may cover water damage caused by internal issues—like a burst pipe or overflowing washing machine—but not flooding from external sources like hurricanes or heavy rainfall. That distinction is critical.’ Tortorici says that renters insurance is fairly standard across the board, although there may be slight variations in coverage enhancements or special endorsements depending on the carrier and state. In turn, she says that it’s always best to discuss specific details with an insurance broker. Generally, renters insurance provides coverage in four key areas: Personal property—This includes belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronics. Loss of use—Loss of use refers to the unit become uninhabitable due to a covered event. In this scenario, funds for temporary housing would then be provided. Personal liability—Tortorici explains this protects against financial responsibility if the renter causes damage to others or their property. Medical payments—This covers medical expenses for guests injured on the premises. Renters insurance vs. home insurance vs landlord insurance There are key differences in each policy; the main difference is that renters insurance does not cover the structure or dwelling itself. This responsibility falls on the homeowner or landlord. ‘Renters insurance only covers the tenant’s personal property and liability,’ Tortorici said. Homeowners insurance This insurance covers the structure and personal property of the homeowner who lives in the residence and owns the dwelling. It also includes liability protection and additional living expenses in the event of a covered loss. Peter Piotrowski, chief claims officer at Hippo Home Insurance, also stresses that flooding isn’t covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy; it requires supplemental coverage. ‘Yet a surprising 63% of respondents in Hippo’s annual Housepower Report believed flood insurance was included in their homeowners insurance policy,’ he says. ‘That’s an important disconnect as the report also found that nearly half (42%) of homeowners surveyed reported increased flood risks in 2024.’ Landlord insurance This insurance covers the structure but typically provides minimal personal property coverage since the home is rented out. It protects the landlord from financial losses associated with property damage and liability but does not cover the tenant’s belongings.

Montana Renters Insurance Refused To Cover Unexpected Flood—and Yours Might Do the Same

This article discusses the lack of flood coverage in renters insurance policies in Montana, highlighting the case of Hollie Trotter, a resident of Bozeman, who experienced significant flooding due to snowmelt. The article explains that flood damage is not covered by standard renters, homeowners, or condo insurance policies, and emphasizes the importance of purchasing separate flood insurance in flood-prone areas.